XTERRA Snow Valley

Just a quick post. Its 1am and time for bed.

I raced the Avia XTERRA Snow Valley today. On top of a 30 hr training week it was not a cake walk, but the race went well. Felt strong all around. Also, I got to spend the weekend with the folks from my shoe sponsor Avia: Ed, Ike, Kenny Souza and fellow pro Shonny Vanlandingham. Shonny continues to improve at XTERRA and won the womens race and got 3rd overall. She almost “chicked” James Walsh from Mud, Sweat and Beers fame. But then he spent all day moving yesterday, and all I can say is “dude, I know your pain.” (See next blog.)

I am absolutely honored to be helping in the design of an Avia trail racing shoe. Today I tested a new sole pattern and the loose, sandy conditions here was a perfect test. We are hell bent on building a race winning shoe, so expect something light, fast and flashy. The shoe may even bear my name. W O W.

Ed in the “Victory or death*” shirt. Me with the silly grin. Ed’s wheels- the green ones. My wheels- the silver 29er. Specialized Stumpjumper.

The swim was at 2000m alt (6500ft) so the air was rare! Note nice Suunto t6 Red Arrow. One of 83

Loved the bike course! My good friend Rich Cruse took these stellar pictures.

Carbon Edge 29er wheels

*”Victory or death” was the tatoo on Kenny Souza’s arm when he was the King of Duathlon- when I was just a rabid tri/duathlon school boy in South Africa.